Omaha daily bee., 1887-11-16
CHAMPIONS OF COMMERCE.
Annual Dinner Of tho New York
State Chamber.
DISTINGUISHED GATHERING.
Letters OF Regret Read From Presi.
dent Cleveland, John sherman
aud Governor Hill--Sccre-
tary Lamar Speaks.
A Swell Assemblagc.

A Swell Assemblagc.
New YoRK, Nov. l5.-The annual dinner of
Che chamber of commerce OF the state OF New
York was held tonight at Delmonico's. The
guests. of the evening included Secretary OF
the Treasury Fairchild Secretary of the In
terror Lamar British Fisheries Commissioner
Joseph Chamberlain, Mayor Hewitt the Hon.
Carl Schurz, General Scofeld, the Hon. S. S.
Cox, General Horace Porter, Chauncey M.
Depew, Whitelaw Reid and Andrew Car
negie
Letters Of regret were read from President
Cleveland and John Sherman.
The president after expressing regret that
official duties prevented his acceptance of
the invitation, says: "Those charged by the
people with the management of their govern
mcnt cannot fail TO enhance their usefulness
by familiarity with business conditions and
intimacy with business men, since good
government has no more important mission
than the stimulation and protection of the ac-
tivities of the country. This relation between
the government and business suggests the
thought that the members Of such assocki-
tons as yours owe to themselves and to all
the people of the land a thoughtful discharge
of their political obligations, guided by their
practical knowledge of affairs, to the end
that there may be impressed upon the admin
istration of our government a business char
acter and tendency free from the diversion
of passion and unmoved by sudden
gusts of excitement. But the most
wholesome purpose Of their political
action will not be accomplished by an insist
ance upon their exclusive claims and selfish
benefits regardless of the welfare of the peo-
pie at large. Independence is so fully an ele-
mcnt in Lour national existence that patri-
otto and generous heed to the general good
seems to best subserve every particular in
tcrest"
Mr.. Sherman, in his letter, says "Per-
haps the most important subject for
the immediate future is the extension
of our commerce, especially into
Mexico and the South American states. The
enormous development of our internal in
industry has now made it necessary for us to
seek foreign markets for our surplus produc-
tons. The most hopeful field for such ope-
rations is in the growing demands of the
American continent for many articles that
the United States, better than any other
country, can furnish them"
Governor Hill also sent a letter of regret.
Then the toast, '"rhe President" was
drunk, and Secretary Lamar responded. The
secretary said he was not aware until a day
or two since that he would be called upon to
respond to this toast and was taken somewhat
by surprise. He added: II have been so
close officially to the president for the last
three years, so identified with his purposes
and his aims and his efforts, that it is almost
impossible for me to either contemplate or
present him in perspective. In my trouble /
applied to him as to what should say, and
perhaps l could not do better than
to report to you his very words.
He said Remind the gentleman of the
chamber of commerce of the fact that two
great interests which originated in the con-
vention which formed the present constitu-
ton were the need of an executive head of
the nation and national regulation of its com
,.,l
between the states so that which the presi-
dent represents are both the Joint creation Of
the present constitution of the United States.
Tell the assembly, said he, that
should reflect the same sam Sturdy Sturdy
industry and the same scrupulous virtue
which lie at the foundation of the people s
success and prosperity Let me offer a
voluntary toast: TO the gentlemen of the
chamber of commerce held in the highest
estimation in all cities in every part of the
United States: know can add nothing to
your knowledge. l am only sure
you could have summoned no one
whose feelings are so %nt touched by
meets one as one gazes upon this splendid
country. From Labrador to the Rio Grande,
from the Atlantic to the Pacific, there lies a
splendOr of wealth and quietude of peace.
think our foreign commerce is not SO declin-
ing that heroic measures are necessary. In
fact, think that instead of declining it is in
creasing / think the United States is now
Contesting with Great Britain for supremacy
of the commerce of the earth, but American
tonnage is decreasing" The secretary
thought that perhaps the chief cause Of this
was that artificial one-protection. There is
another vital element which forms the basis
upon which rests all things, and that is mer
camille honor. On the appreciation of com
mercial honor rests the power of commercial
credit.
Chauncey M. Depew responded to the toast
'The United States, with government by the
people and for the people they are friends OF
honest labor, enemies of anarchsm." Mr.
Depew said the question, What is to becom,
of anarchy, has been partly settled in Chi
cagO. The American people have decided
there is no liberty unless there is law.
President Smith proposed toast to Mr.
Chamberlain
The latter in response expressed his gratiti
cation ut the mission which had been place.
upon him. Referring to his mission, he sal,
he was sure nothing will be permitted to i'm
peril the good relations existing betweel
Great Britain and the United States. ii
would not attempt any settlement of the dis
pute that is not admirably fair.
Mayor Hewitt, George William Curtis an,
Others also responded to toasts.